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Characteristics and healthcare utilization of Long COVID patients included in the care trajectory post-Covid-19.

Sarah MOREELS, Niko SPEYBROECK, Rana CHARAFEDDINE and Pierre SMITH

Long COVID (LC), a multisystem disorder with persistent symptoms >=4 weeks after a COVID-19 infection, has impacted healthcare systems substantially. In XXX, a care trajectory post-Covid-19 (CT) was launched in July 2022, in which diagnosed LC patients with symptoms >=12 weeks can benefit from reimbursement of treatment costs when consulting healthcare provider(s)(HCP) in primary care for their rehabilitation. In this care pathway, general practitioners have a key position and are point of referral.Identifying the characteristics and healthcare utilization of LC patients included in a CT.COVIMPACT is a longitudinal online cohort study in the XXX adult population recruited after SARS-CoV-2 infection, including people suffering from LC. In the last wave, questions focused on CT inclusion, allowing for comparing CT versus non-CT LC respondents. All variables with significant bivariate association with CT inclusion were included in a backward multivariable logistic model.Among all LC sufferers visiting HCP for their persistent symptoms (N=1246), 5% (N=64) were included in CT while 23% responded to not yet have heard or being informed about this CT. In total, 42% of CT patients were (very) satisfied with their inclusion, 28% answered neutral and 30% were dissatisfied. Being included in CT did not significantly differ among XXX regions, nor was there effect of respondents’ age, educational level, ethnicity or urban residency. CT patients were mainly female and had few chronic conditions (p<.01). Compared to non-CT LC sufferers, CT patients had numerous LC symptoms (p<.01), suffered more from breathing and memory problems and persistent fever (p<.05), symptoms lasted longer, majority was not recovered and daily life was strong impacted by LC. Total number of consultations was higher and they consulted specialists (p<.05), physiotherapist (p<.01), mental health professional (p<.001) more frequently than non-CT LC sufferers.About one in three of the included CT patients were not satisfied with the benefits and care delivery received for their Long COVID rehabilitation.As patients included in CT experience major daily impact of LC compared to non-CT LC sufferers, these CT patients have increased care needs and higher healthcare utilization.